1. Automated External Defibrillator

2. Chain of Survival Healthy Choices Recognition of the Warning Signs
Early Access to EMS
Early CPR
Early Defibrillation
Early Advanced Care
Early Rehabilitation

3. Conduction System The heart has it’s own electrical system
Impulses come from Sino-Atrial (SA) Node
(natural pacemaker)
Travel to the Atrio-Ventricular (AV) Node
The tissue where the heart attack happens dies
Impulses cannot cross the dead tissue
Electrical impulses are no longer coordinated resulting in abnormal heart rhthyms

4. Conduction System

5. What is an AED Analyzes heart rhythm
Generates an electric shock – if required to stop abnormal rhythm in the heart
Blood is not circulating if the heart is in ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia
Time from collapse to shock is critical
CPR and defibrillation give the best chance of survival

6. The AED
Instructors should ask learners to point out or to note the following:
The major components of an AED:
Pads to skin
Pads to cables
Cables to AED
Point out the circuit that must be completed: skin to pads, pads to cables, cables to AED box; when troubleshooting any problems, make sure the circuit is completed.
Three different types of event documentation module (solid-state memory module, standard magnetic tape microcassette, PCMCIA memory card [“flash” memory cards])
Event documentation modules record primarily 2 things: (1) voices and sounds at the scene and (2) a complex analysis of the cardiac rhythm (includes initial rhythm, interpretation by the AED Treatment Algorithm, shocks indicated, shocks delivered, response to shocks, last rhythms recorded).
The proper locations for pad placement:
to the patient's right upper chest, just below the clavicle. The other pad is attached on the patient's left lower anterior chest wall. The pad on the left should NOT touch the nipple
The “4 universal control steps” of AED operation:
Power ON
Attach
Analyze
Shock

7. Types of AEDs

8. Operation of AEDs
Power ON
Attach Pads
Analyze ON
ANALYZE

9. Operation of AEDs Clear the patient !!!! “I’m clear!” “You’re clear!”
“Everyone is clear!”
“Shocking now”

10. AED Sequence 1 2 3 4 5 Check for responsiveness
If unresponsive, call 911 or your local emergency number and get AED 3
Check Airway, Breathing, Circulation, (ABC)
Perform CPR until AED arrives 4
Attach AED if no signs of circulation 5
Stand clear, press analyze

11. Shock / No Shock Protocols

12. Pad Placement Adult One pad – right upper chest, just below clavicle
One pad – left lower anterior chest wall

13. Infant or Child Pad Placement
Infant or pediatric pads
One pad – right upper chest, just below clavicle
One pad – left lower anterior chest wall
Adult pads
One pad – front middle of chest
One pad – middle of back
In the case of a child or infant where there are no child pads, use adult

14. Special Situations
Hypothermia- follow the AED prompts, continue with CPR & handle the patient gently.
Water – Wet Environments (do not use)
Moving vehicles or toboggan (must be stopped)
Aircraft or Helicopters (tell aircrew AED in use)
Trauma Patients (not likely to work)
Pregnant Patients (use as normal)

15. Special Situations Metal surfaces (use as normal)
Patch medications (remove patch if in way)
Pacemakers or implanted defibrillators (if in way- place pad at least one inch away)
Oxygen (move oxygen one arm length away)
Radio use (do not transmit during analyze and shock)

16. Who uses AEDs
Healthcare providers, emergency workers, or community responders whose job or volunteer work demands that they know how to defibrillate someone
Caregivers, such as family members of people who are under medical supervision due to a high risk of sudden cardiac death

17. Ceasing AED Sequences The patient has a pulse
Another trained rescuer takes over
EMS arrives
It is unsafe to continue
A medical doctor says to stop

18. Legal Aspects
In some provinces/territories, the use of an AED is considered a medical act
The supervising physician provides certification and medical control
Follow provincial or local regulations
Check with zone or division training officers on the use of AEDs in your area

19. Documentation Internal event recorders
Patroller should complete a medical report
The AED coordinator is usually responsible for ensuring for passing this information together with the medical report to the receiving hospital.
Annual AED and CPR skill retention/certification